Editor’s note: This story contains accounts of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or at https://www.rainn.org
Chargers defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day claimed on Twitter that he was sexually assaulted by TSA personnel at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., on Friday.
In a Twitter thread posted Friday, Joseph-Day explained what happened to him during a TSA pre-flight security check, but he didn’t provide many specifics about the situation.
Here’s some of what he shared.
“I really just got sexually assaulted by TSA at @JohnWayneAir,” Joseph-Day wrote. “After I asked the gentleman to please stop BC I’m uncomfortable and I feel that this part of the check is unnecessary (After he felt what was needed). Then they told me I was the problem after 3 TSA agents swarmed me.
“I’m all for people doing their job well. But it was extremely unnecessary and dehumanizing. I travel a lot, for personal and work reasons. I’ve never experienced anything like that @JohnWayneAir.”
John Wayne Airport has since replied to Joseph-Day’s accusations, expressing that his complaint would be forwarded to the TSA. The Chargers player alleged in his Twitter thread that he was having to “jump through hoops” to file a complaint.
In response to the airport’s comment, Joseph-Day said:
“It’s 1 thing if they apologized after my concerns, but the supervisor threatened to call the sheriff on me if I didn’t finish the search after I expressed I was just violated & told me to watch my mouth. I don’t think it’s just a TSA issue.”
